2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the vehicle stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint color and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, created a sophisticated atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with the SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle priced at $98,420, including destination charges. Notable design features included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, contributing to its aerodynamic efficiency with a drag coefficient of 0.29. The interior boasted a luxurious, high-tech appearance, with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery.

The 2024 Volvo XC90, available in B5, B6, and Recharge T8 model series, offered a more subdued and earthy exterior paint palette, aligning with its focus on practicality, safety, and sustainability. The XC90's design featured various appealing wheel designs up to 21 inches in diameter, with most versions sporting a Bright theme with chrome and polished metal accents. Inside, the XC90's interior design, though dated, was fitted with rich materials, especially in Ultimate trim. Buyers could choose between wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather in various colors, with an Orrefors crystal shift knob adding a touch of class. The XC90 allowed for more customization in terms of paint, wheels, and upholstery, catering to picky customers. The test vehicle, a Recharge T8 in Ultimate trim, featured seven-passenger seating, a Lounge Package with massaging front seats, an active air suspension, a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, and a trailer hitch, with an MSRP of $89,145, including destination charges.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement and comfort with driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. The SE and SE Dynamic models featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The lower-priced SE P360 offered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The Autobiography P440e came with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 51 miles of electric driving range. A 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine was available for early-build 2023 models but was reportedly off the menu for the time being. The Range Rover Sport's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, with a claimed 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, and a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. The P400 drivetrain was more fuel-efficient than expected, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving, and the test vehicle averaged 22.3 mpg on the evaluation route. The Range Rover Sport's new vehicle architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35 percent, and it featured adaptive damping air suspension, Dynamic driving mode, cornering brake control, brake-induced torque vectoring, and roll stability control. However, it didn't match the driving dynamics of similarly priced, sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled, with impressive ground clearance, approach, breakover, and departure angles, and a 35.4-inch wading depth.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with the B6 model's supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. The battery and electric motor offered 32 miles of electric-only driving, with a combined fuel economy rating of 27 mpg. The XC90 Recharge T8 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds. Recharging the battery took about 12 hours with a standard household outlet or less than half that time with a 240-volt, 16-amp outlet. The XC90 featured Pure, Power, Hybrid, Constant AWD, and Off-Road driving modes, with up to 9.9 inches of ground clearance when equipped with air suspension. The test vehicle's electric range fell short of expectations, providing 28 miles instead of the indicated 33 miles. The XC90 Recharge T8's powertrain delivered lively performance, but its handling was not as thrilling as a performance SUV. The 21-inch wheels affected ride quality, and the aging vehicle architecture allowed more cabin noise and vibration than expected. The XC90's steering was not sharp or communicative, and the suspension allowed more roll, pitch, and dive than ideal for spirited driving.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall, airy feel with a low dashboard, upright windshield angle, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with adjustable inboard armrests. The test vehicle featured Windsor leather upholstery, 20-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and optional massage functionality. The rear seat, though improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with hard front seatback panels and narrow door openings. The back seat provided excellent thigh and lumbar support but had a reclined seatback angle. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The test vehicle's full-size spare tire limited underfloor storage, but Land Rover provided a contraption to prevent items from rolling around.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8, even in Core trim, was well-equipped with power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system. The panoramic glass roof added natural light, and higher trims offered additional features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats with massage, and an integrated booster child seat. The front seats had adjustable lower leg support bolsters, but their design could catch on clothing. The XC90's cabin was comfortable, with a commanding driving position and good sightlines. The climate control system struggled to cool the cabin in Pure mode on a hot day. The XC90 seated seven or six with optional captain's chairs, and the third-row seat was more accommodating than expected. Interior storage was adequate, and with the third-row seat folded, the XC90 offered up to 65.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 85.7 cubic feet with the second-row seat down.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an Online Pack with connected services. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment platform was often confusing and frustrating to use, with features difficult to find or access. The native digital assistant struggled with voice commands, failing to provide accurate directions to nearby locations. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system. A wireless smartphone charging pad was included but challenging to access.

The 2024 Volvo XC90's 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system used Google Built-in technology, offering Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. It was compatible with Android devices and included Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio. The XC90 offered a 14-speaker Harman Kardon or a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The infotainment system was more intuitive than previous versions, with a stereo volume knob and radio tuning buttons. The digital voice assistant generally worked well, though some prompts required adjustment. The XC90 Recharge T8 included a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself via a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were not as smooth or reliable as expected, particularly on freeway curves and bends.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was synonymous with safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA in most assessments and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS in 2023. However, its advanced driving assistance systems were not as innovative as some rivals. The XC90 included Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. While generally smooth, Pilot Assist struggled with curves and lane markings, and it made a significant error during an exit maneuver. Despite this, the XC90's safety features worked well enough not to cause aggravation.